Islamabad: (Parliament Times) A high profile seminar was held at Preston University, Islamabad to mark the 140th birth anniversary of veteran of Pakistan Movement, Founder President of All India Muslim League and the 48th Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaili Nizari Muslim community, His Highness Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. The referenced event was jointly organized by Preston University and the Archaeological and Historical Association of Pakistan (AHAP). Besides the senior faculty, management and students of Preston University the momentous occasion was participated by diplomats and elite of the twin cities. Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana graced the occasion by his distinguished presence as chief guest. Eminent business tycoon, Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani was the guest of honor. Prominent among the speakers who shed light on the life and achievements of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan were renowned businessman and philanthropist and Founder Chairman Hashoo Group Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani, Dr. Abdul Basit, Chancellor Preston University, Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, Chairman (AHAP), Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Secretary General AHAP, Mr. Murtaza Hashwani, Mr. Naeem Akram Qureshi, and Air Commodore (R) Naunehal Shah.
Addressing the distinguished gathering on the occasion, chief guest Governor Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana said Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III was unambiguously the leader of the Muslims of the united India, and it was he who, back in early 1900s, realized that the Muslims were being exploited by the Hindu majority in India, and in order to achieve their rights they would, sooner or later, have to part ways with All India National Congress and make a political party their own. With this objective in mind, he along with 35 prominent leaders of the Muslims of the subcontinent after several deliberations founded the All India Muslim League. Governor Punjab Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana further said Sir Aga Khan III was also the founder President of the party.
He said, though Sir Aga belonged to the Ismaili community he gathered all the Muslims on one platform and worked for their social and economic progress in close cooperation with Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana said His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, the eminent grandson of Sir Aga Khan III has, besides other major contribution towards the socio-economic development of Pakistan, has made significant contribution towards the cause of education particularly in Gilgit Baltistan.
In his address, the Governor Punjab also made special mention of the first address of Sir Aga Khan after assuming office of the President of the party. His address, the governor reiterated, reflects the poor state of the Muslims of India. In his maiden address, Sir Aga Khan vociferously vowed to take them out of abject poverty and make them reap the benefits of progress and prosperity.
The Chairman Hashoo Foundation, Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani in his brief remarks on the occasion said Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III our spiritual leader. He was the leader of not only the Ismaili community but all the Muslims of the subcontinent. Sir Aga Khan III worked tirelessly and devotedly for the unity of the Muslims of not only the subcontinent but the entire world. Mr. Hashwani said we would continue to pursue the mission of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III with unparalleled dedication and enthusiasm to bring sustained socio-economic progress to the country. On the occasion, Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani announced a donation of Rs. 10 million for the poor and needy students of Preston University.
The other distinguished speakers who paid glowing tributes to Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III on the occasion profoundly eulogized his selfless services towards the creation and development of Pakistan. They acknowledged that it was due to the efforts of Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III that the All India Muslim League came into being. It would, therefore, not be wrong to state that Sir Aga Khan ranked among one of the founders of the Pakistan Movement. He played a pivotal role alongside Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the other eminent leaders of the Pakistan Movement in the creation of Pakistan.
Earlier, in his welcome address the Chancellor of Preston University Dr. Abdul Basit expressed his profound gratitude to the Governor Punjab, Malik Muhammad Rafiq Rajwana for gracing the event by his distinguished presence as chief guest. He also expressed his special thanks to Mr. Sadruddin Hashwani, Chairman Hashoo Group for his notable presence at the event and also for announcing a generous donation of Rs. 10 million for the needy students of Preston University. Talking on the subject of the seminar he said highlighting the achievements of our national heroes was a part of the university’s manifesto and the university would continue to contribute in that direction in the years to come. Dr. Abdul Basit said Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III was a visionary leader and one of the founders and the first president of the All-India Muslim League (AIML). His goal was the advancement of Muslim agendas and protection of Muslim rights in India. Sir Aga Khan, he said, shared Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s belief that Muslims should first build up their social capital through advanced education before engaging in politics. His Highness, Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan called on the British Raj to consider Muslims to be a separate nation within India, the so-called ‘Two Nation Theory’. Dr. Basit said it was truly an honor for Preston University to organize a national seminar to mark the birth anniversary of a distinguished and highly respectable personality like Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III.